THE High Court will rule on July 11 in a case filed by CHADEMA National Chairman Tundu Lissu, who is challenging the handling of his sedition trial at Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Lissu is facing two criminal cases at Kisutu, including one for publishing false information, which is currently in the evidence stage before Senior Resident Magistrate Geofrey Mhini.

In his application before the High Court’s Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry, Lissu asked the court to summon the case file for review, citing concerns about the manner in which proceedings are being conducted in the lower court.

However, when the matter came up for hearing before Judge Elizabeth Mkwizu, a team of state attorneys led by Nassoro Katuga submitted preliminary objections, arguing the High Court lacks jurisdiction.

The government maintained that since the Kisutu Court’s decision to adjourn proceedings was not a final ruling, the case file cannot be summoned. The prosecution also cited Section 372(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA), which bars appeals or reviews of decisions that do not conclude the main case.

In addition, the state argued that Lissu’s application combines multiple requests in a single filing, contrary to legal procedures.

Judge Mkwizu adjourned the matter to July 11, 2025, when the court will issue a ruling on whether the government’s objections are valid.

Lissu filed the application seeking clarity and legal redress on how his sedition case is being handled. This follows a June 22 decision by the Kisutu Court to allow some government witnesses to testify in secrecy—one of the issues that prompted his legal challenge.

If the High Court rules in favour of the government, Lissu’s request for a case file review will be dismissed, and proceedings at Kisutu will continue as scheduled.